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Solar Activity Phenomena
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Sunquake
A seismic wave that occurs on the sun as a result of solar flares, akin to an earthquake. It radiates from a point on the sun's surface where a flare occurs. The impact on Earth is negligible, but it can provide insight into solar flare mechanisms.
Solar Flare
A sudden, rapid, and intense variation in brightness, releasing a vast amount of energy, causing electromagnetic disturbances on the Earth, particularly affecting radio communications and power grids.
Coronal Mass Ejection (CME)
An enormous bubble of gas threaded with magnetic field lines that is ejected from the sun over the course of several hours. CMEs can cause geomagnetic storms that may disrupt satellites, power grids, and navigation systems.
Sunspot
A temporary phenomenon on the sun's photosphere appearing as dark spots compared to surrounding regions. They are caused by magnetic field flux, which inhibits convection, causing reduced temperature and subsequently appearing as dark spots.
Chromospheric Anemone Jets
Small-scale jet phenomena that occur in the solar chromosphere, resembling the shape of sea anemones. These jets result from magnetic reconnection and contribute to the transfer of energy and mass in the sun's atmosphere.
Solar Limb Flaring
A solar phenomenon occurring near the edge, or limb, of the Sun's disk, resulting in a flare that appears to be very large due to the projection effect. It can affect Earth by enhancing the ionization in the upper atmosphere.
Solar Wind
A stream of charged particles released from the upper atmosphere of the sun. This phenomenon shapes the Earth's magnetosphere and can lead to phenomena such as the aurora borealis and aurora australis.
Photospheric Granulation
The grainy texture of the sun's surface, caused by the convection currents of plasma within the sun's convection zone. Granules are a very visible manifestation of the solar convection.
Helioseismology
The study of the propagation of wave oscillations, particularly sound waves, in the sun, which can reveal details about the sun's internal structure. This mostly affects science and our understanding of solar physics rather than having a direct impact on Earth.
Solar Prominence
A large, bright feature extending outward from the sun's surface, often in a loop shape. Prominences are anchored to the sun's surface and extend out into the sun's corona. While not harmful to Earth, they are a spectacle of solar dynamics.
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